Biographical Note:

Edward C. Hudowalski was born in Patterson, New Jersey, August 28, 1904. He received his early education in the Patterson public school system and graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1927 with a degree in electrical engineering. In January 1928 he was hired as an electrical draftsman in the New York State Department of Architecture. He advanced through the civil service ranks to the position of superintendent of operations and maintenance of canals and waterways in the Department of Public Works. He held this position from 1953 through his retirement in 1966.

His state service was interrupted in 1942 when he served in the signal corps of the United States Army. His principle duty was working with engineers of the United States and Britain to devise ways of suppressing motor noise from all kinds of engines to ensure less notice by German and Japanese radar. This work involved extensive travel with overseas assignments in England, Italy, Algiers, Dakar, Gold Coast, India, China, and Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1947 with the rank of captain.

He married Grace Dolbeck Leach and resided in Troy for several years before moving to Albany. The Hudowalskis also had a summer camp at Schroon Lake, New York that was nestled in the shadows of the Adirondack Mountains. This was the focal point of their hobby of mountain climbing and hiking. Both were charter members of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers, an organization for individuals who have reached the summit of all 46 peaks in the Adirondack Range of 4,000 feet or higher in elevation.

Edward Hudowalski was a licensed professional engineer with membership in related professional organizations and honorary societies. He was also a member of many learned societies, service clubs, and other social organizations. Another hobby of great interest to him was that of ham radio operator. He passed away September 30, 1966.

Scope and Content Note:

The papers of Edward Hudowalski are comprised largely of correspondence between him and his wife while he served in the military from 1942 to 1946. His letters contain not only a good deal of information about his life in the army, but also many fine details regarding the climate, geology, history, and people of the diverse places he was stationed in Europe, Africa, and Asia. His observations on how the war affected the social life and customs of the people are quite good. The letters written by Grace (typed copies) are also eloquent compositions that offer much insight into domestic life on the home front during World War II. The correspondence is in good physical condition and has been arranged chronologically.

Also included with these papers is an extensive collection of Kodachrome slides of the places and things he saw during his extensive wartime travels. Many of the slides are identified and sometimes mentioned in his letters. (See Item List of Slides.)

Lastly, there are a number of ancillary papers here, including a few letters to Alice Morgan Wright (a family friend), his military service records, official orders, souvenirs, and other personal ephemera. A series of papers relating to Grace Hudowalski's participation in a special regional history program of WMHT, a local public television station, is also included herewith.